Israel has announced the expansion of its ground attacks in Gaza. The army stated that it has begun “work to expand the buffer zone in the northern Shuja’iyya area.” The Israeli military has declared that it is widening its occupation in northern Gaza Strip by intensifying attacks and issuing evacuation warnings that force the Palestinian population to migrate once again by violating the ceasefire. Israeli Army Spokesperson Avichay Adraee confirmed the expansion of ground attacks in Gaza through a statement on his social media account. Adraee mentioned that the Israeli army has started working in the Shuja’iyya area in northern Gaza to “deepen control and expand the buffer zone.” Referring to the evacuation warning given to the Palestinian population in the area, Adraee claimed that the Israeli army engaged in clashes with Hamas members in Shuja’iyya.

TENTS TARGETED BY ISRAEL, MOTHER AND CHILD KILLED
Following the Israeli military targeting the tent of displaced Palestinians in southern Gaza, a Palestinian woman and child lost their lives. The army attacked the tent where displaced Palestinians were staying west of Kube Mosque in Mevaseret Har Tuv. In the assault, a Palestinian woman and child died, and many others were injured. Israel also bombed the Gabayin seawater desalination plant in the Tuffah neighborhood in eastern Gaza where food and clean water shortages are being experienced. In Rafah city in southern Gaza Strip, two people lost their lives in an Israeli army attack.

UN: ISRAEL USING FOOD AND AID AS WEAPONS
Philippe Lazzarini, the Commissioner-General of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), made a statement on social media regarding the situation in Gaza Strip. Lazzarini used the words “Gaza: Hunger and despair spreading due to the use of food and aid as weapons” in his sharing. He stated, “Gaza has been under total blockade for over a month. Israeli authorities continue to ban the entry of basic necessities such as food, medicine, and fuel. This is mass punishment.” Lazzarini pointed out that people in Gaza are suffering from hunger, chaos, and looting, and he mentioned that the strict blockade imposed by Israel has begun to disrupt civilian order. Highlighting that people in Gaza are extremely exhausted due to being trapped in a small area, Lazzarini emphasized that “Entry of aid should be allowed, and the blockade should be lifted.”